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2021 sees moderate increases in property taxes

February 13, 2021 By Pierce County News 8 Comments

While real estate values continue to surge in Pierce County, statutory limits on property tax rates are holding tax increases to modest levels this year.  “For the past three years, tax bills fluctuated due to the McCleary court decision on school funding,” Assessor-Treasurer Mike Lonergan explained.  “This year they’ve settled down in most areas, even decreasing in a couple districts.”

Property tax statements for 2021 are being mailed this week to the owners of residential and commercial land and buildings in Pierce County.   For homes where the tax is paid through an escrow account, the statement is sent to the bank or mortgage company.

Countywide, property taxes billed this year total $1.67 billion, a 4.8% increase over 2020.  In addition to schools, property taxes pay for city and county government, fire districts, emergency medical service, parks, libraries, roads, Port of Tacoma, Sound Transit and flood control.  Fees for conservation, noxious weed control and surface water are also included on the property tax statement. 

The state and local portions for schools add up to 59.6% of all property taxes in Pierce County.  The cities and county, including the road district, add up to 21% and fire districts equal 11%.  Together, these make up over 90% of Pierce County’s property tax.

The annual tax is determined by multiplying property value (in thousands of dollars) by the combined rate of all taxing districts where the property is located.   

Last year (2020) saw hefty tax increases for most property owners, due to the Washington State Legislature’s increase in the maximum local school district Enrichment Levy, from $1.50 to $2.50 per $1,000 of property value. 

Voters in two additional school districts, Puyallup and White River, approved supplemental enrichment levies taking effect this year, resulting in tax increases of $350 and $500 respectively, on the average home.  Tacoma residents will experience the smallest increase, only $40 on the average home, largely due to a reduced Metropolitan Park District construction bond.

Residents of the Orting School District fared best this year, with taxes on the average home reduced by $170, due to decreased school levy rates.  Tax rates also dropped in the Graham Fire District, to be replaced by a new Fire Benefit Charge which is calculated differently than taxes.  

Property owners may view their tax statement online at the Assessor-Treasurer’s website, piercecountywa.gov/atr, by entering either their tax parcel number or their street address.  Payment is due in two halves, by April 30 and November 1, 2021.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the service counter at the Pierce County Annex remains closed, but taxpayers with questions may contact the Assessor-Treasurer staff by computer chat on the website or by calling (253) 798-6111.  

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Comments

  1. Angela says

    February 13, 2021 at 2:23 pm

    Its ridiculous how high property taxes are increasing. It forces long standing homeowners to sell to slum lords to take over. 2 blocks from me a sum lord ownes 4 properties and. Charges per bedroom. For “community Living ” and she fiixes NOTHING but because people can’t afford to live on their own…you get 15 people living in a 3 bedroom home. Go figured.

    Reply
  2. Larry says

    February 13, 2021 at 11:51 pm

    Residential tax increases should not be levied on homeowners without children. It should be strictly imposed on homeowners that have school age children.

    Reply
    • Dave says

      February 15, 2021 at 8:49 am

      Please re-think your statement. Who paid the taxes when YOU were attending school(s)?

      Then, should any new benefits, innovations and discoveries by those students be limited to just families who paid property taxes?

      Wow! Imagine only the parents and grandparents of those who came up with the COVID-19 vaccine would get it. Those who did not help contribute financially to their education (you, maybe?) would be banned from receiving the vaccine.

      Reply
  3. Theresa says

    February 14, 2021 at 8:18 am

    Our taxes are reaching a point that we can’t afford on a retired budget. It flat Criminal how much they have gone up. Something needs to be done to bring them back in control.

    Reply
  4. P Rose says

    February 15, 2021 at 9:02 am

    Our state legislature is full of Dems. Time to clear them out and vote Republican for better physcal responsibility.

    Reply
  5. John Arbeeny says

    February 15, 2021 at 9:46 am

    Simple solution: stop voting to approve school district “enhancement” levies. These should be unnecessary with full funding of schools. Teachers unions know no limits on what they can spend on their administration and teachers. Make them live within their means; the rest of us had to learn that long ago.

    Reply
  6. Joan Campion says

    February 15, 2021 at 9:49 am

    All citizens should be responsible for the education of children but the schools have to do a better job of teaching. Less of the social business and get back to basic education.
    It’s not just school levy’s but the Transit taxes added on.

    Taxes are a big part of the reason folks are moving out of state.

    Reply
  7. Jerry says

    February 15, 2021 at 1:07 pm

    Let’s get this straight. Last year there was no school. Last year the libraries were shut down for 3 months or more. Last year our roads were hardly used because we were in lock down for 3 months with a gradual return to the streets and now the property taxes are going UP!!!!

    Where is the common sense of this? Our property taxes SHOULD go down in every district across Washington State.

    The Unions are fighting NOT to go back to school. Our libraries are NOT open but working by phone call in getting books etc. This state is a joke and that’s why people are leaving in droves but your local news won’t be talking about that poll.

    The only part I can see is that houses are going up in price. Two years ago, they were going up in price but our taxes came down. Go figure.

    Reply

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